How to Make an Axe Wedge

My dad asked me to fit this axe head to a handle and make a wedge for it. According to my dad, my grandfather used this axe for cutting roots in the ground or as a sledgehammer (because of its weight).
The steel was dented and deformed. He cut some of the tumor like pieces off and polished it before he left it with me. I used salvaged mahogany dresser shelves for the wedge and a store bought hickory handle.

[@885Blackjack]

YES! Perfect video. I was completely overthinking the wedge, and could not find the exact hand tool video until now. Shout out to the firewood log mallet. That one hit me right in the feels. I have one at my work bench also because I'm always busting my rubber mallets on double bit hangs. I personally do not glue the wood wedge, nor use a metal one. Personal preference.

[@DerekBlais]

Thanks! I've updated my techniques, but I still do the process by hand tools exclusively. I think it's time I make another wedge video. Any reason why you prefer not to glue the wedge?

[@Prefer2Hibrn8]

for such as simple thing as a wedge I had no idea about making one. Now I do and I LOVE your jig where you use the chisel. I'm making one of these first 👍

[@gary7vn]

All these tools but no wooden or rubber mallet.
Great video!

[@DerekBlais]

You're right. I recently got a $20 dead blow hammer that works great for this purpose. No more using random logs or scraps for banging in wedges.

[@danman2070]

Thanks for this.. Did it hold? Did it loosen over time? I see you made this video over four years ago so I figured there's enough time to tell whether you axe held with this wooden wedge. I want to copy your method.

[@DerekBlais]

The wedge is fine. No movement at all. However, the axe handle is in rough shape. Its owner (my dad) is pretty rough with his tools.

[@danman2070]

@DerekBlais thanks for your reply. I'm going to attempt to make one myself but with a piece of harder would. It looks like Rosewood or something. If I can cut it and mould it I will use it.

[@RonHackborn]

Seal the wedge with bee's wax [old school]well done thank you

[@silverback4434]

C'est beau ce que vous faite .

[@paragonpartners2058]

What about the grain? How do I cut the wedge out of the sourced wood so it doesn't snap... I really cant see the grain with the wood used in this vid. I'll be using Black Walnut as the wedge for a Curly Maple hatchet handle. Thanks!

[@DerekBlais]

I cut mine so they'll slide in vertically (parallel to the axe handle grain). If they snap, it'll be vertical. If the grain of the wedge is horizontal (perpendicular to the axe handle grain), I imagine it'll snap pretty easily when banging it in.

[@stacydube61]

Easy way to clean out the old wood???

[@isaax713]

sandpaper

[@DerekBlais]

Do you mean old wood in the eye of the axehead? I usually cross cut the handle off, then bang out the remaining old wood with a piece of hardwood narrow enough to fit in the eye. Drill some holes in the remaining piece to make it easier to bang out, though not always necessary.

[@plowmaster1206]

Musta been alot of covid in there

[@DerekBlais]

Lingering sawdust. These foam masks won't work for covid.

[@gary7vn]

Wear a mask. Dust will kill you, but before it does that, it will choke you.